Method of making containers



June 14, 1938. A, M RE 2,120,899

METHOD OF MAKING CONTAINERS- Filed July 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

54 m 54 BYMLMM 3 52 ATTORNEY Patented June 14, 1938 a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIETHOD OF MAKING CONTAINERS Q George Arlington Moore, Louisville, Ky., assignor to Humoco Corporation; Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Delaware Application July 17 1934, Serial No. 735,563

'26 Claims. (01. 93-39.1)

My invention relates to methods of fabricatceiving the end closures or heads of corresponding containers comprising paper stock or other ing shape in close fitting relation thereto. fibrous material having paper-like characteris- Further, said invention has for its object to tics, or comprising laminations of such paper produce a container shell or body and a flanged stock or fibrous materials and foil or metal (said head to be received therein with the parts in paper stock or fibrous material being referred to smooth, close fitting relation throughout withherein for convenience of expression as paper) out wrinkling, rufliing or buckling oi the flange, and the invention has for its object to produce and with the material thereof in condition for a container which may be fabricated at low cost allowing the same to be turned over with the without rupturing, distorting or otherwise dambody wall into an interlocking seam without 10 aging the material, or imposing stresses or break-down or other damage to said material.

strains thereon liable to interfere with the fabri- Further, said invention has for its object to cation or impair the quality of the product, and produce a container other than circular in cross- .which is simple, durable and efficient in consection, such as containers of oval or oblong struction, and substantially impervious to air, cross-section having fiat or straight sides con- 15 moisture, and other fluids. nected by curving portions, corners or. sides of Further, said invention has for its object to relatively short radius.

provide a method of causing the material of the Further, said invention has for its object to marginal portion of the container in forming a, provide a method which facilitates the formareinforcement, seamor joint to flow or curl tion of a seam of uniform material content and 20 naturally and freely into a multiple ply relationcross-section throughout the extent thereof ship without breakdown of or other damage to when the containers fabricated are other than the material. circular in cross-section.

Further, said invention has for its object to Further, said invention has for its object to a directive bias upon the margin of the conminer Shell and head reduced Projection tainer wall without crushing, collapsing, breakyond the base of the head to minimize the efing down or otherwise damaging the material vehei ht f the c ntainer. I I

thereof.- Further, said invention has for its object to Further, said invention has for its object to form said join s ,1 seems Without q iri he 30 facilitate the ply forming operation by controluse Of pp t d s or ma s W h the ling the application of pressure to the material confines h body Shell for receiving he so asto overcome the initial resistance thereof thrust of the Seam forming 001$ diesto flowing without breaking down the material, Further. d ent has or ts Obje t 20 or otherwise damaging the same. provide a method oi forming an-inwardly di-'- Further, said invention has for its object to rected bead in the wall of the container shell produce an interlocking seam or Joint between capable of serving as an abutment or ledge for l a container body and the flanged head therefor centering or positioning the head within the with the piles of said seam locked against sepacontainer shell and receiving the thrust thereof. 40 ration. Further, said invention has for its object to- Further, said invention has for its object t provide amethod of eiiecting an interlocking enproduce a container of the character specified easement betwee the Seam Plies and Said head in which certain or all of the walls thereof conand forming anelastic, hermetic joint between sist of a laminated structure composed of layers said head and the bead or abutment formed in of paper and foil or similar metal for enhancthe shell-or body of said container. 45 ing the strength and 'imprevious character of Further, said invention has for its object to such walls and increasing the strength and duform the seam or joint between the shell body rability of said seams or joints and the imperand flanged head thereof by utilizing said head vious or hermetic qualities thereof. and the complementary groove thereof for sup- Further, said invention has for its object to porting the container during the seam forming produce a container shell of greater length than operation, and receiving the thrust imposed on width in cross-section which is retained in shape the material by said operation. without bowing or sagging at the wide sides Further, said invention hasfor its object to thereof so that the open ends of the shell form provide a'method in which the container shell sockets of gauge dimensions and shape for reand the flanged head are assembled with the 5 facilitate the plyfdrming operation by imposing produce a reinforcedseam between the conwalls thereof in a smooth, close fitting relation to each other and properly aligned with the seam forming tools, and with the material thereof in condition to freely flow in response to the action of said tools into seam forming relation without breaking down, crushing or becoming otherwise damaged.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends my invention consists in the steps constituting said method hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of a shellforming mandrel and die which may be employed in carrying out the present invention, the mandrel being shown in expanded position and the external die in partially contracted posi-.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged end view partly broken away of said container shell showing the laminated structure thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section of the dies for the first stage of operation in forming the seam, the container body with the flanged head therein being shown positioned within the dies on an enlarged scale relative to the dies;

Fig. 6a is a fragmentary sectional view of the flanged head taken on the line 6a6a of Fig. 6;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section of the dies for the second stage of the seam forming op-' eration;

Fig. 8 is a similar-view of the tools forthe third stage of the seam forming operation;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatical view illustrating the beginning of the first stage of operation;

Fig. 10 is similar view illustrating the beginning of the second stage of operation;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating the seam construction at the radial portion thereof, the body or shell of the container being shown in phantom; and r Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the container through the seam.

Referring to the drawings, the container shell III to be fabricated in accordance with my invention is preferably composed of a plurality of plies, ll, lla and lib of paper stock (Fig. 12) secured together by a suitable adhesive I la capable of strengthening or stifi'ening the paper component to form a strong, stiff structure and increasing the impervious qualities of said shell, a vegetable glue being at present preferred as the adhesive. The shell l0 maybe formed on a suitable mandrel l2 either by-winding a continuous sheet thereon and securing the overlapping plies together by the adhesive, or, as shown in Fig. 5, the shell I0 is preferably formed from a plurality of separate sheets with the lap seams l3 arranged alternately at opposite sides of the shell, the sheets ll, llc, llb being wound about the mandrel I! in superimposed relation successively and secured together by said adhesive. In order to render the shell air and moisture proof, the inner ply or liner lla of the shell is preferably reinforced with a metal or foil layer II which is secured to the ply Ila by a suitable adhesive having affinity for the foil such as adhesives having a rubber or latex base.

In forming the shell "I, the paper layers llb forming the intermediate laminations may comprise paper stock of a cheaper quality with an outer layer ll of superior quality adapted to form a printed label. If so desired, adhesives may be employed which are substantially moisture proof but of reduced stiifening properties to improve the impervious qualities of the shell, together with adhesives which are primarily relied on to augment the stiffness of the shell. For example, I

find that the impervious qualities of the container are improved by provision of a moisture proof adhesive lld, such for example, as that known as a mica adhesive, between the outer paper layer or label II and the contiguous inner layer llb,

the different adhesives llcand lld supplementing each other so that the resulting container wall is of the desired stiffness, strength and imperviousness, and the'intermediate film or films of adhesive llc being preserved against deterioration due to access of moisture thereto by the impervious inner foil layer l4 and the outer impervious The mandrel means l2 comprises a bed plate or bolster l5, and the opposing mandrel segments l6 and I1 forming the supports for the flat side portions Illa of the shell and the interposed op- 1 posing mandrel segments l8 and I! for supporting the arcuate connecting portions lllb of the shell.

The several segments l8l8 at their inner ends are provided with outwardly extending portions or feet 20 slidably engaging the bed plate II and retained in position thereon by the flanged member 2|, the parts l5 and 2| forming guideways therebetween for said feet 20, and recesses for the springs 23 which are interposed between the ends of said feet 20 and the peripheral por-v tion of the member 2| for causing contraction of said several segments, one of said springs being shown in Fig. 1.

The several segments It to I! supported in position extending normally to the bed plate II- are expanded, and firmly supported in expanded relation, by an actuating member 24 disposed within the confines of said segments and adapted to be reciprocated in expanding and allowing the contraction of said segments. For this purpose, the several segments longitudinally thereof have at their inner sides inwardly projecting portions 2! and 26 of reduced width providing bearing surfaces 21 and 28 coacting with. the shoe portions 29 and 30 of the reciprocating member 24. The segments l6l8 extend for a substantial distance from the bolster l5, and, therefore to insure uniform application of the expanding force thereto to expand said segments without cramping of the parts, and to provide a uniform supportthroughout the length of said segments for preventing to receive the same, said recesses providing upwardly and inwardly extending edges 31 and 38.

As shown at Figs. 2 and 3, the wider seg-' ments l6 and I1 extending parallel with the major dimension of the mandrel have fiat intermediate portions 39 terminating in inwardly directed curving portions 49, the outer surfaces of which, when the mandrel is expanded, as shown at Fig. 2, registering with the-curving surfaces 4| of the segments i8 and '|9 to form therewith the narrow arcuate portions of the mandrel. This provides a continuous outer surface having a cross-sectional outline corresponding to the shape of the shell to be fabricated. The curving inner surfaces 42 of the portions 40 constitute cams cooperating with the segments l8 and IQ for supv plementing the action of the shoes 29 in causing the expansion of the wide segments 6 and H, the

expanding force being applied to the wider segments l6 and H at three points to prevent cramping, canting or other distortion thereof and to provide a solid. firm support for the same at the ends and middle, the segments l8 and I9 when expanded entering between and engaging the flat edges 43 of the segments l6 and IT, for bracing and reinforcing the same at the ends.

When the parts are collapsed as shown in Fig. 3, the shoes 29 and 39 enter their respective recesses 35 and 96 and allow the bearing surfaces 28 of the reduced portions 26 of the retracted segments IB and i9 to engage the stem of the actuating member 24, and the flat inner surfaces 44 of the segments I6 and H to engage the fiat sides 44a of the segments I8 and IS), the reduced bearing portions 25 of the segments l6 and i1 being received into and closely fitting the space formed by said segments I8 and I9 and the reduced portions 26 thereof. When the mandrel is expanded the inclined edges 3| and 32 of the shoes 29 and 30 engage the corresponding inclined edges 31 and 38 to expand the several segments, the vertical edges 33 and 34 moving into engagement with the bearing surfaces 21 and 2B of the portions 25 and 26 to reinforce and support the segments in expanded position.

When the mandrel I2 is expanded the laminated of slightly greater depth than the bead to be formed to allow for. the slight contraction in the depth of the beads or ribs 45 found to occuras a result of release of stress on the material when the dies are released therefrom. Cooperating die means 41 are disposed about the mandrel i2, and comprise a corresponding number of segments or jaws 4B--48a having complementary ribs 49 thereon adapted to register with the grooves 46 and intermeshtherewith. For convenience of illustration, one of said segments 48, is shown in expanded position and another segment 48a in contracted position. The segments 48-48a may be contracted and expanded by suitable actuating means and when contracted the material of the shell wall is drawn into the grooves 46 to form the beads 45 without stretching or distorting the material beyond its elastic limits. The die members 48-480. are preferably recessed to receive suitable heating elements 59 for facilitating the setting of the'material of the shell I0 together with the ribs 45 into permanent form prior to expanding the dies 48-48:; and contracting the mandrel l2.

In fabricating the shell or body of the particuv lar oblong shape herein shown and described of greater length than width in cross-section, the outer surface or periphery of the mandrel when expanded must correspond thereto in shape and dimensions. To this end, the outer peripheryof the mandrel includes straight side surfaces 5| having a separation equal to the minor dimension of the mandrel, said straight'side surfaces strong rigid structures while the segments i8 and I9 are made of substantialor block-like dimensions to render the same suitable for expanding the segments I6 and I1 and supporting the same in expanded position.

In order to obtain sumcient clearance when the mandrel is collapsed. it is necessary to move the ends or corners 54 of the segments i6 and I1 inwardly on the chord a. (Fig. 3a) the required distance to cause said corners 54 to coincide with or come within the clearance line b representing the outline of the mandrel in the collapsed 'position thereof, the line 0 representing theoutline of the mandrel in the expanded position thereof.

In order to allow the required inward movement of the corners or points 54, the point d on the inner surfacev 44 of each side segment lying on the diameter line e of the curved surface 52 must travel inwardly on said diameterline a distance equal to 6-1. The line g normal to said diameter line e at the point J, and demarking' the boundaryof the contiguous flat side 44a.

thereof is in expanded position. In determining the location of the corners 54 the angle subtending the arc h of the outer surface 4| of the segment |8-i9 must be so chosen that the chord a intersects the'clearance line b with the point i thereon, representing the inner position of the corner'54, located within the confines of said clearance line. For a given desirable thickness of the metal line 53 of the segment |6|| and for a given required clearance, the angle or-arc of the curving surface it of the segments iii-49 must be confined to values ranging from 60 degrees (at which value the corresponding chord shown, for example, for fabricating a container 3" long and 1" wide having a radius at the ends of /2" and requiring a clearance of 1 5", I flnd that the arcs it should be and can be substantially '70 degrees to obtain the desired clearance without requiring the use of undesirably thin metal lines 53. To collapse the mandrel l2 the end segments i8-l9 must move through a distance substantially equal to the length of the normal line gin order to allow the required inward movement of the side segments l6-l'|.

The extent to which the foregoing principles can be utilized in the manufacture of mandrels of various sizes and dimensions requiring different clearances and metal lines may be readily determined, once the principles are understood. The principles of construction are particularly applicable to mandrels requiring relatively small clearances, not exceeding about one-eighth of the radius of the curved ends, the clearances obtainable being inversely proportional to the thickness of the metal line 53.

The oblong body It formed tends to bow or sag inwardly at the opposite sides Illa thereof which is obviated by forming or drawing the inwardly directed beads or ribs 45 (also forming the complementary outward grooves 45a) in the wall of the body l0 adjacent to the opposite ends thereof in the manner above described. The ribs 45 not only reinforce the body I 0 and maintain the body walls in parallelism without bowing but also insure the formation of sockets 56 at the ends of the shell III of predetermined or gauge dimensions for receiving the end closures or heads 51 (Fig. 6) adapted to closely and smoothly fit said sockets 56 evenly seated upon the ribs 45 to form a joint 58, the marginal portion 56a of the shell 10 projecting beyond the edges of the flange 51a of the heads 51. The ribs 45 serve as templates or gauges for determining the positions of the heads 57 within the shell and for properly locating the same relative to the marginal edges 56a of the body to enablethe seam forming operation.

The ribs 45 also serve as ledges or abutments for receiving the thrust of the heads 51 during the seam forming operation and after the container isformed, and obviate the need of the use of an internal mandrel or support for the head when the seam is being formed, as hereinafter descrlbed. To this end, the groove 45a is made of substantial depth, extending inwardly beyond the projection of the inner surface of the flange 51a. 1 The ribs 45 in order to effectively resist thrust or pressure are made'of strutted or braced formation, and therefore differ materially from the ordinary arcuate ribrof slight depth. Each rib is formed with a ledge portion 59 extending inwardly substantially horizontally or at right angles to the wall 10, a vertical intermediate por-- tion 80 and an inclined portion 6| merging with the vertical part 80 and the body wall 10 and I being disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the horizontal or transverse plane. The portions fill-8| serve as a strut or brace at the inner end .of the part 59 for receiving and supporting the tion 59 to be formed by a drawing operation with out imposing stresses or' strains upon the material beyond the elastic limits thereof tending to tiguous paper layer by a suitable adhesive 84 break down or otherwise weaken the rib, and said portions Gil-6|, because of the reduced distorting action imposed on the material in forming the same, provide a reinforcing structure for the right angular portion 59 of substantial resistance 5 or strength comparable to that of the original body structure. a The flanged head 51 shown in Figs. 6 and 12 is particularly adapted structurally for fitting the sockets 56 of the shells ill in a smooth, close fitting relation with the wall thereof without buckling, wrinkling or ruilling in order to maintain the flange 51a in proper alignment with the dies used in the seam forming operation to be de-;

scribed. The head is also fabricated or -con-;;15 structed in a manner to allow the material there-. of to be turned over in the seam forming, oper tion without breaking down the material, particularly at the inner portions of the flange, and: without requiring pressures to be imposed there.- on liable to cause injury to the rib 45, or distortion of the head 51, or impairment vof the close fitting relation between the flange 51a and the shell wall, or of the hermetic qualities of the joint 58.

The head 5'! shown is particularly adapted for use in the fabrication of containers other than circular, and particularly containers of materially greater length than width in cross-section having radial or arcuate portions of relatively short radius (substantially equal to one-half of the length of the minor dimension) connecting the flat side portions of substantial or major dimension. 'A similar head and the method of of fabricating the same is shown and described in my application flied April 17, 1934, Serial No. 720,920, and in my Patent No. 2,081,759, the head per se and the method of making the same being shown and described in detail in said above identified application and claimed therein.

As may be inferred from an inspection of Fig. 12, the head is fabricated by drawing a flat blank composed of a laminated structure comprising a layer of foil 82 backed by a plurality'of layers of paper 63. The foil 62 is secured to the conhaving elastic properties, such as adhesives having a latex base which facilitate the formation of the head and the turning over thereof inthe seam forming operation, and the paper layers are secured together by an adhesive of substantial body and stiffness forming with the paper a strong stifl reinforcing structure for the foil layer, the foil rendering the body impervious to air, moisture and other fluids and, because of the deformable character thereof, retaining the flanged head when formed in shape with the flange 51a thereof substantially vertical, and hence contributing in securing the closefltting relation between the flange and body wall above described and in enhancing the hermetic or impervious qualities of the container.

The upper portions of the curving or arcuate ends 68 of the flange 51a are provided with notches 61'(reduced in size compared to their original size) for reducing the tendency of the flange to flare outwardly at the ends and allowing theflange to be formed with the material thereof at the ends in proper condition for flowing in the seam forming operation, obviating the tendency for the material to become hardened or embrittled to an extent interfering with the flowing operations because of excessive compression imposed thereon during the flange drawing operation due to crowding of the unremoved excess material within an arcuate portion of reduced radius compared to the original radius of the end margins of the blank. The notches 61 in the arcuate flange portions also contribute, especially when the container is of the oblong shape herein. shown and described, in obtaining uniform registry of the head 51 with the body wall l0, and in forming a seam of uniform material content and cross-section in both the arouate and straight portions thereof.

,, I also provide notches 68 in the upper portion of the flange 51a. substantiallyat the junctures of the arcuate end portions 66 and the straight blank, the original notches having had blunt inner apices of sufficient width to compensate for the spreading of the material of the arouate portions 66 during the flange drawing operation, obviating the tendency of said arcuate portions to flare because of the resistance of the side portions 66a to inward movement of the end portions 66. The original notches 6'! allow the arcuate portions to be formed vertical, and also allow the head to be inserted into the sockets 56 in the desired close fitting relation without buckling.

I also provide means for facilitating the turning over of the margins of the relatively stiff, long, side portions 660. of the flange 51a in the seam forming operation without breakdown .of.

the flange or requiring the application of pressures thereto liable to force the head from its seat on the abutment formed by the bead 45, or cause the collapse thereof.

The particular means herein disclosed for facilitating the flange flowing operation comprises,

as illustrated at Figs. 6 and 6a, a series oflongitudinally extending, parallel flutes 69 of substantial depth formed in the inner surfaces of the straight flange portions 66a during the flange drawing operation by means of suitable ribs formed upon the male die employed in the flange drawing, the female die employed insuring the formation of flange portions 660. having substantially smooth, flat outer surfaces, as indicated at 6911.

The fluting 69 forms a wall of alternately reduced and enlarged thickness, the material along the longitudinal lines of reduced thickness 6% being highly compressed relative to the material along the lines of greater thickness 690, The lines 6% of compressed material thus form reinforcements extending longitudinally of the side portions 66a and contributing to maintain the walls 66a vertical and in close fitting relation with the contiguous surfaces of the shell III, and provide transversely a succession of lines of bend for facilitating the turning over of the flange in the seam forming operation. The fluting 69 is also very effective in mechanically locking the foil and paper plies 62-63 together to prevent separation or fraying thereof at the flange edge.

The fluting 69 is particularly adapted forfacilitatlng the turning over of straight flange portions in forming seams for containers of the particular shape herein shown and described and thereby compensating for the relatively greater resistance of non-arcuate or straight shrinkage.

flange walls 66a to the turning or curling operation compared to the resistance of the end por-' tions 66 of the flange 51a which may be more readily turned over because of the notches 6'i and arcuate shape thereof, .the turning over of such arcuate portions being inwardly radially towards the center. However, in the formation of seams or reinforcements for containers of other forms, the fluting 69 can be advantageously employed for facilitating the flowing or curling of arcuate flange portions.

The fluting 69 also cooperates with the notches 61 and 68 and with the foil component of the flange 51a in obtaining the smooth uniform, close fitting relation between the flange 51a and body in desirable for proper coaction with the seam forming dies as hereinafter described, and also places the material of the relatively stiff straight side portions 66a in condition to be responsive to the curling operation to the same extent as the material of the notched 'arcuate end portions 66, thereby enabling a uniform turning over of.

the flange throughout the extent thereof without breakdown of the material or dislocation of the head 51 because of the excessive pressures which ing over of the material.

The lower portion 10 of the flange 51a is uninterrupted entirely around the periphery thereof providing a portion of substantial depth in uniform close fitting relation to the shell wall In to form a joint of hermetic character'particularly when a sealing medium, such as parafl'lne, latex or a suitable adhesive is disposed between the contacting surfaces.

The head 51 is also drawn with'a rib H formed at the juncture between the flange 51a and the .flat base 12, and serving to reinforce and stiffen the article about the margin thereof, to retain the same in shape against warping due to recess or groove Ila at the inner side of the head between the bottom 12 and the inner side of the flange 51a for receiving as hereinafter described the lower portion of the reinforcing seam 13 as shown in Figs. 8 and 12. For this purpose, the

rib 'Il comprises a wall portion 14 (Fig. 8) of 12) substantially normal to the bottom 12 and at its opposite end merges into a straight wall portion 16 substantially normal to the flange wall 510..

The rib H as thus constructed provides a yieldable or elastic connection between the bottom portion 12 and flange 51a, compensating for shrinkage as the article dries and tending to supplement the foil 62 in keeping the flange 51a substantially normal to the base against outward expansion. The yieldability of the rib II also facilitates the insertion of the head 51 into the socket 56 of the shell l0 and allows, supplementary to the notched formations 61 and 68, the head 51 to be forced into place without causing canting, buckling, wrinkling or other deformation of the flange 51a or bottom 12.

The head 51 is inserted in position with the bead II resting upon or engaging the squared abutment or shoulder 59 formed in the container wall, the shoulder 59 and the portion 16 of the The rib H provides a relatively deep would otherwise be required to-eflect the curlbead ll having a right angular interengagement, the corner of the bead ll fitting into the comer of the shoulder 59 to form the joint 58. To improve the hermetic qualities of the joint 58 a suitable sealing material may be disposed therein to forrn a gasket seal 11. For example, a layer of latex or rubber in a fluid state maybe disposed upon the bead 1| and the head 51 then inserted in place. Upon application of heat this material sets to for'm'an elastic gasket 11 between the parts supplementing the hermetic qualities of the juncture between the flange 51a and the body wall l8. provided because of the closeness of the fit between said parts.

The shoulder 59 eifectively resists axial movement of the head 5'! under the pressures or stresses applied lengthwise of the'container and prevents the head from becoming dislodged therefrom when bending and canting strains are imposed thereon, the bead 1| and shoulder 59 cooperating to resist stresses and strains imposed on the container liable to cause distortion of the bead 1| and allow the seam plies to be released therefrom and loosened.

The width and the depth of the groove Ha. allow the plies of the seam 13 to be forced into interlocking relation with the groove upon application of pressure lengthwise of the plies as hereinafter described. The parallel or straight portions '|55'|a of the groove Ila serve to prevent rocking or swinging of the interlocked end of the plies on the 90 degree are of the wall portion. 14 out of engagement with the groove, the plies, in effect, being keyed within said groove against movement. The depth of the groove Ila is such that the extended plane of the bottom 12 intersects all of the parallel plies of the seam including the flange ply 18 which is embedded be-' tween the ply portions formed from the marginal portion of the body, and which has the end thereof extending into the confines of the groove. When thus embedded the inturned parts of notched end portions 66 form substantially a continuous structure with the notches 61 drawn together as shown in Fig. 11 at 610.. The interlocking structure provided at Ha resists stress or pressure on the seam in all directions.

The bottom 12 also serves as a brace or strut disposed inside of the seam body to. resist inward movement or loosening of the plies thereof. Stress on the seam plies directed lengthwise thereof in either direction is resisted by the engagement between the loops or bends and complementaryends of the plies.

At Figs. 6 to 10, I have illustrated the instrumentalities for forming the seam I3 in accordance with my method. Said method constitutes an improvement upon the method claimed in Letters Patent 1,870,062 granted to me August 2, 1932, and is employed for forming multiple ply reinforcements, seams or joints, and particularly for forming said seams or joints without the use of internal supports. By constructing the containers in accordance with this method I am able to insert the head in one end of the container. and form the seam, and after the material or substance constituting the contents of the container is disposed therein through the opposite end of the container the remaining head 51 is placed in position at the latter end and the seam formed,

the method for forming .both seams being the same. In order to hold the container shell |8 in position during. the seam forming operation, a chuck 19 comprising gripping laws 88 is disposedabout the shell |8 at the opposing sides I80. and Nb of the container shell and adapted to be contracted about the periphery of the shell l8, to closely grip or engage the same without causing buckling thereof, the jaws 88 having ribs 8| thereon corresponding in shape with the grooves 45a and extending into and fitting said grooves. The ribs 8| are of slightly reduced projection compared to the depth of the ribs 49 and complementary grooves 46 of the tools or dies employed in forming the shell grooves 45a so as to fit the groove 45a closely without bowing the shell wall and moving the same out of alignment with the curling tools, compensation thus being made for contraction of the rib 45 when the forming tools therefor are released. The chuck 19 is provided with a similar rib at its opposite end so that both grooves 45a of the shell l8 are engaged and the shell is supported externally over a substantial portion of the length thereof. When the chuck 19 is contracted about the shell, the ribs 8| effectively reinforce the shell ribs 45 and, because of the depth thereof, the pressures applied to the flange 51a are transmitted through said ribs 45 on a line intersecting theexternal supporting ribs 8|. The end of the shell ID to be sealed is received into thehollow die bolster 82 in close fitting relation with the interior surface 83 thereof which corresponds in shape with that of the shell I8.

The gripping jaws 88 have recesses 84 therein receiving springs'85 bearing against the bolster 82 and serving to expand the chuck to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 6 when the actuating means for closing the jaws is released. The actuator 86 comprises a tubular member disposed about the bolster 82, the contiguous portions of the jaws 88v and actuating member 86 having c'oacting inclined camming surfaces 81 for facilitating the jaw closing operation.

In order to facilitate the flowing of the marginal portion 56a of the shell |8 into the multiple ply relationship shown at 13a (Fig. 7), I impose a directive bias upon the material by forming a curl 88 of relatively short radius about the margin of the shell |8 in spaced relation to the edge of flange 51a. This preliminary curling operation is accomplished by a tubular die member 89 slidably disposed within the bolster 82 and having an endless arcuate groove 98 formed in and about the lower edge thereof, said groove having a transverse curvature of relative short radius, and preferably being disposed in a plane at a slight angle, for example, at an angle of one degree, to the plane coincident with the marginal edge of the container shell l8, the groove 98 being inclined relative to the axis of the die 89 in the direction of the majordimension thereof.

When pressure is applied to the die 89, the latter is moved from the position shown in broken lines (Fig. 6) downwardly to the position shown in full line. During this movement, because of the inclination of the curling groove 98, the inturning or curling of the margin 56a of the shell starts at a point 9| at the right looking at Fig. 9 and progresses alongthe opposite sides of said margin to an opposite point, the outer portion 98a of the groove 98 forming a knife edge serving to shear the marginal portion of the flange inwardly away is curled downwardly by the arcuate groove 93,

point along the opposing peripheral portions of the margin. The downward force exerted on the shell I at the moment of contact of the die 89 therewith is substantially reduced compared to.

the force that would be required to curl over upon such a short radius the entire margin simultaneously. By progressively curling over or inturning wall to the curling action upon the initiation thereof at each point, a greater force being required to start the curling over of the material at the instant of contact of the die 09 with the shell margin than at the later stage of the operation.

The bias curl 88 resulting from the foregoing method is shown in section in Fig. 6 an'ddiagrammatically in Fig. 10, the curl produced lying on a plane inclined in the direction of the major dimension of the shell and relatively to the axis thereof.

, For the second stage of the seam forming operation, the die 89 is removed and the hollow flowing die 92 having an endless arcuate groove 93 in the lower edge thereof of longer radius is received into the bolster 82, said groove being disposed on a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the die, and hence, as shown in Fig. 10, on a plane in angular relation to the inclined bias curl v88. A retaining member or sleeve 94 is disposed within the die 92 with its lower edge 95 engagingthe base I2 of the flanged head 51,. and provides a surface 96 at the outer side thereof for guiding the material during the curling or flowing operation.

The initial position of the die 92 is indicated in broken line at 91 (Fig. 7). When in this position, the die- 92 contacts with the bias curl 88 at a'point 90 as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 10. As the die 92 moves downwardly, the material of the body wall is sheared inwardly away from the bolster wall, the'outer side 93aof the groove 93 being formed as a knife edge, and is caused to flow or curl inwardly on a relatively broad radius (which may be ofthe orderof twice the radius employed in forming the bias curl 88), The curling over, because of the angular relation of the die and bias curl, is progressive from the point 98 along the opposite sides of the curl to the opposite end thereof. The thrust of the die is initially localized at the point 98 and the curling operation is greatly facilitated without requiring the application of pressure liable to'break down the material or cause the head 51 to be forced from its seat on the bead 45 of the shell or cause said seat-to yield axially. The initial resistance or inertia of the material to the curling operation is overcome by applying pressure to thebias curl progressively from point to point along opposite sides of the periphery of the container without requiring the application-of pressures of an order liable to break down the material or cause dislocation of the parts, the method being .substantially the same in principle as that employed for forming the bias curl.

As the curling operation proceeds the material and guided along the surface 96 which keeps the material within the desired confines and causes the same to flow in the proper plane. The directive bias imposed on the advancing edge 56a of the material by the bias curl 88 now becomes effective to cause said advance edge portion 56a to curl or turn outwardly and move in reverse direction against the'direction of the application of the curling force, the advance edge 56a. clearing the base I2 of the head 51 and' the inner side of the flange 51a and moving into position between the flange pprtion I0 and the inturned portion 18 of said flange which has during this operation been curled over with the marginal portion of the shell as shown in Fig. 7, the side portions 66a being curledover successively about the lines of bend 69b formed by the rioting 69.

By properly designing the bias curl radius and the extent of preliminary curling the ply por- I tions may be brought into intercaiated relation without requiring tracking orguidance by the walls of the enclosure in which the curling takes place, which is liable to break down the material, and without said advance edge 56a engaging head on or jamming into the edges of the base I2 of the head 51 or flange portion I0. In like manner, the radius of the groove 93 is gauged to allow the material of the marginal portion of the body and of the flange 51a to freely flow without undue departure from natural form, and to allow the advance portion 5011 under the directive bias imposed thereon to freely move into ply forming relation without interference due to lack of space, and in so doing to clear both the base I2 and the flange 51a of the head.

After flowing or curling the material into the I a plurality of angularly related directions, 1. e.,

by applying pressure laterally to the inner side of the piles to cause the same to align with the groove Ha and then lengthwise of the plies 13a while confined laterally to cause the same to align or interlock with each other lengthwise and to be compressed or expanded into the groove Ila, the plies tending to thicken because of the vertical. pressure applied.

For applying the lateral pressure to the seam plies I employ the expansible member 99 com-' prising a plurality of segments IOI adapted to be expanded by a reciprocable member I02 having laterally projecting wedge-shaped shoes or cams I03 including inclined edges I04 adapted to coact with the inclined edges I05 of the recesses I06 in said segments, and including straight edges I0I adapted to cooperate with the straight inner surfaces I08 of the segments, the structure being similar to that of the shell forming mandrel I2.

The packing pressure on the plies in a vertical or lengthwise direction is applied through seam shaping groove I09 therein for correspondingly shaping the outer margin of theseam.

In applying the consolidating or packing pressure to the seam plies 13a the member I00 is initially disposed within the bolster in elevated position as indicated at H0 in broken lines with the member 99 disposed within member I00 in, contracted position as indicated at III in broken downwardly upon the material to first cause the ends and bends oi the folds or plies to abut and further interlock, the contiguous plies being sufflciently separated or loose because of the width of the member I00 to allow relative sliding movement thereof, and then to force the plies downwardly into the groove Ila to form the seam I3 with the plies expanded or compressed into the foil reinforced groove II a as above described.

The method above described for forming the bias curl 88 and then the intercalated plies 13a may be advantageously employed for forming seams or reinforcements about marginal portions of containers including straight wall portions of substantiallength which offer more resistance to curling operations than the connecting arcuate wall portions for the reason above stated, and particularly for forming seams and joints without the use of internal support, such as in my method whereby the stresses and strains imposed upon the marginal portions upon application of the seam forming pressures thereto are resisted by the inwardly directed bead, abutment or ledge 45 of the shape above described reinforced and supported externally by the rib 8| extending into the complementary groove 45a, the shell I 0 being supported externally by the bolster 82 and chuck I9. In my method the stresses and strains imposed upon the marginal portion 56a of the shell and upon the flange 51a by the tools 89, 92 or I00 are transmitted to and sustained by the squared shoulder 59 of the rib 45 backed up by the rib 8| without danger'of the beaded portion II of the head skidding out of position. The direction of application of the forces about the periphery of the container at all points ison lines intersecting the beads or ribs 458I. This is rendered possible because of the closeness and uniformity ,of fit between the outer surface of the shell I0 and the contiguous surfaces of the bolster 82 and chuck I9 and ,between the flange 51a and the inner surface of the body wall portion 56a, buckling, bowing or distortion of the'walls being obviated so as to insure a perfect uniform alignment of the marginal wall portions with the tools entirely around the periphery of the container. Furthermore, in my method the amount of pressure required to curl the marginal material is substantially reduced because of the particular methodemployed for flowing the material progressively from point to point along the periphery in the first two stagesof the seam forming operation; thereby relieving substantially the stresses and strains to be imposed upon the ledge 59, and because of the structure of the flange 51a, including the notched structure 61 of the arcuate portions 66 and fluted structure 69 or the elongated straight side portions 00a of said flange which greatly facilitates the turning over of the flange to form the ply I8, minimizing appreciably the stresses required to be sustained by the abutment 59 upon the application of the seam forming pressures.

The outside of the container is preferably covered with a suitable casing, sheath, skin or film of a material preferably transparent or diaphanous and impervious to air, moisture, etc., the

material being applied in a liquid or fluid state by blowing the same in a finely divided state upon the surfaces of the container, or by otherwise applying the same and allowing the same to harden.

As shown in Fig. 12, the joint or seam I3 comprises a compact, interlocking multiple ply structure including the outer body wall I0, the contiguous flange ply 10, the inwardly and downwardly directed ply or fold 56b of the body, the inwardly and downwardly directed ply I8 of the flange at the inner side of the shell fold or ply 56b and the reversely directed terminal portion 56a of the body interposed between the ply portions I0 and I8 and between the foil 62 thereon, the notches 61 of the arcuate portion of the ply 18 being now drawn together as shown at 61a (Fig. 11). The foil layer I4 at Ila is also embedded in the joint I3 between the body I0 and flange portions ID-I0, and at Ilb is in contact with a portion of the foil 62 of the head 51 centrally within the joint. The gasket seal 'I'I between the ledge 59 and the head reinforcement II Serve to form a tighter joint at the junction 58.

The foil portions I4 and the portions or plies of the foil 62 on the head 51 are brought by the compacting pressure applied to the seam in directions at right angles to each other into close contact with the contiguous ply'portions to form a gasket seal within the seam I3 efiectively premade of uniform gauge dimensions, capable of being uniformly engaged by a suitable cover or closure, and minimizingthe height of the :container.

" ,In my method the paper components of the shell and heads are reinforced or supplemented by metal or foil which allows the container forming operations without damaging the material, enhances the strength and durability of thecontainer and renders the walls and seams thereof impervious to air and moisture.

' Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of making a container which comprises forming a paper shell with an inwardly directed rib therein and a groove complementary to said rib near one end of said shell, placing a flanged head in said shell against said rib, and interlocking the flange and contiguous wall portion of the shell together while supporting said shell externally by means registering with said groove.

margins of the arcuate flange portions and relatively enlarged notches at the junctures of the flat and arcuate flange portions for insuring a uniformly smooth, close fitting relation between the contiguous shell and flange walls, and flowing the marginal portions of said shell and said flange into intercalated relationby the application of pressure thereto lengthwise thereof.

3. The method of making a container which comprises forming a paper shell, disposing a flanged head within said shell with the margin of said shell projecting beyond said head, curling the projecting marginal portion of said shell upon a radius, and then flowing the marginal portion of said shell and of said flange upon a relatively wider radius than said first named radius to cause the marginal portion of said shell to move under a directive bias imposed on the material by the first curling operation into intercalated. relation with the opposing plies of the flange.

4. The method of making a container which comprises subjecting the marginal portion of a paper shell to the action of a die member moving axially of the shell at an angle to the margin thereof to cause flow of said marginal portion progressively from point to point thereon.

5. The method of making a container which comprises flowing the marginal portion of a paper shell from one point thereon to an opposite point progressively along opposite sides of said marginal portion.

6. The method of making a container which 7 comprises forming a paper shell of greater length than width, shearing over the marginal portion into a curl upon a relatively short radius progressively in the direction of the major dimension thereof by the action of an axially movable die, and then flowing said marginal portion into intercalated relation upon a broader radius under a directive bias imposed by the first curling operation.

7. The method of making a container which comprises forming a paper shell with an inwardly directed ledge therein, forming a flanged head with a peripheral reinforcement at the juncture of the flange and the base thereof, said reinforcement providing a groove upon the inner side of said head, placing said head within said shell with said reinforcement engaging said ledge, forming a preliminary curl upon the adjacent margin of said shell, flowing the marginal portions of said shell and flange into intercalated relation above said groove, applying pressure laterally to the intercalated plies to align the same with said groove, and then forcing the plies into said groove. 8. The method. of forming a container which comprises forming a paper shell, forming an inclined curl on the margin of said shell by the action of an axially movable die disposed at an angle to the plane of the margin of said shell and contacting with the material progressively to form'said curl, and then flowing the material upon a broader radius into intercalated relation under the directive bias imposed on the material by said first curling operation by the action of includes the steps of drawing a portion of the body wall of a fibre shell between coacting die members of complementary shape to form an inwardly directed rib, the material of the rib being drawn at one part thereof substantially into right angular relation to the body wall and at the other part thereof into less abrupt angular relation to the body wall by the action of the dies so as to minimize stress on the material, said material being placed by said die members under a tension not exceeding the elastic limits of the material in forming a rib of an original depth greater thanthat required, and said depth being predetermined so that upon release of the die members the material sets or relaxes to the extent required for forming a rib of a depth appreciably greater than the wall thickness.

10. The method of making a closure formation for a paper shell having a flanged head fitted therein which includes the steps of curling the marginal portion of the shell, and then flowing the marginal portion of the shell and the flange of the head upon a radius wider than that. employed in the curling step.

11. The method of curling the marginal portion of material to be formed which comprises flowing said marginal portion from one point to another thereon progressively by the action of a die member having the operating face thereof disposed at an angle to the line of the edge of said marginal portion.

12. The method of making a closure formation for a container which comprises simultaneously curling the marginal portion of a shell and a flange ona head for said shell to interlock the same, subjecting the curled plies to lateral pressure, and then forcing said plies into a marginal depression in-said head.

13. The method of making a container which comprises forming a paper shell, forming an'internal rib and an external groove complementary thereto in the wall of said shell by the action of complementary die members, and supporting said shell by a member extending into said groove and corresponding in shape thereto while subjecting the marginal portion of the shell to a curling action.

14. The method of making a container which includes forming a laminated shell comprising fibrous laminations adhesively secured together. disposing a head in said shell constituted by a blank having foil and fibrous laminations and the marginal portion thereof drawn into a smooth seamless flange, and flowing the marginal portion of the shell and the flange of the head into intercalated relation to form a foil reinforced ed, forming an internal rib in said shell intermediate the ends of said mandrel, and contracting said mandrel to reduce the outline of the same entirely around the periphery thereof sufficiently to allow said ribbed shell to be removed therefrom.

16. The method of making a container which includes the steps of forming a shell by successively wrapping a plurality of fibrous blanks about a collapsible mandrel having a greater length than width and an uninterrupted periphery when expanded, adhesively securing each blank to a contiguous blank throughout its area during the wrapping operation, drawing an internally projecting interrupted rib having acomplementary exterior groove in the wall of said container intermediate the ends thereof with an external die member having a rib adapted to cooperate with a groove in said mandrel intermediate its ends. releasing said shell by collapsing said mandrel to reduce the outline of the latter entirely around the periphery thereof, and supporting said shell by means having a rib adapted to register with the groove in said shell while inserting a flanged closure into said shell in contact with the rib in the wall of the latter, flowing the marginal portion of said shell into overlapping relation withthe flange of said closure by means of a non-rotating tool, and pressing said marginal portion and flange into intimate contact with one another.

17. The method of making a container which includes the steps of forming a paper shell with an inwardly directed ledge therein, forming a flanged head with a peripheral reinforcement at the juncture of the flange and the base thereof, said reinforcement providing a groove upon the inner side of said head, placing said head within said shell with said reinforcement engaging said ledge, flowing the marginal portion of said shell into overlapping relation with said flange, directing the edge of said marginal portion into said groove, and pressing said marginal portion and flange into intimate contact to form a tight seam between said shell and head.

18. The hereindescribed method of sealing a container comprising fibrous materials which includes the steps of securing an end closure in one end of the container body, filling the container with material to be canned, inserting a flanged closure in the other end of the body, and supporting the container and contents by means extending into exterior grooves in the walls of said body while flowing the marginal portion of the body into overlapping relation with the flange of said last-named closure to lock the same to gether.

19. The method of making a container which includes forming a shell, and drawing an internal rib in the wall of said shell intermediate the ends thereof while supporting said wall by means closely engaging the same about the entire inner periphery of the shell on opposite sides of said rib.

20. The method of making a container which includes forming a shell, and drawing an internal rib in the wall of said shell intermediate the ends thereof by subjecting the same to pressure by pure linear movement of a die member while supplying interior support to said wall for a substantial distance on and along each side of said rib.

21. The method of making a container comprising fibrous material which includes the steps of forming a shell with an inwardly directed rib therein and an external groove complementary to said rib near one end of said shell, placing a flanged head in said shell in contact with said rib, and curling the marginal portion of the shell into overlapping relation with the flange of said head while holding said shell by means externally thereof and extending into said groove.

22. The method of making a container which includes the steps of forming a shell comprising fibrous materials, forming an internal rib and an external groove complementary thereto in the wall of said shell,'and holding said shell against movement by a member extending into said groove while subjecting the marginal portion of the shell to a curling action. I

23. The method of making a container which includes the steps of forming a shell on a mandrel, forming an internal rib in said shell intermediate the ends of the mandrel. and contracting said mandrel sufliciently to allow said shell to be removed therefrom.

24. The method of making a container which includes the steps of forming a shell on a mandrel, forming an internal rib in said shell intermediate the ends of said mandrel, contracting said mandrel suflicicntly to allow said shell to be removed therefrom, inserting a flanged head into said shell in contact with said rib, and curling the marginal portion of said shell into overlapping relation with the flange of said head.

25. The method of making a container which includes the steps of forming a shell on a mandrel, forming an internal rib and complementary external groove in said shell intermediate the ends of the mandrel, contracting said mandrel sufficiently to allow said shell to be removed therefrom, and holding said shell against movement by means extending into said groove while subjecting the marginal portion of the shell to a curling action.

26. The method of making a container which includes the steps of forming a shell on a mandrel, forming an internal rib and an external groove complementary to said rib in the wall of said shell intermediate the ends of the mandrel, contracting said mandrel sufficiently to allow said shell against movement by means extending into 7 said external groove.

GEORGE ARLINGTON MOORE. 

